David Haye has labelled Wladimir Klitschko a ''fraud'' ahead of their
heavyweight unification bout on July 2 in Hamburg, claiming the Ukrainian
has yet to face a fighter in prime form and condition.

''I have seen his style and I've seen what he does in the ring and I believe he is a fraud and the people he has fought have made him look spectacular," said Haye, speaking at the Imtech Arena, the venue for the eagerly-awaited fight.

''This time he has got a prime athlete at his peak and someone coming off the back of some fine victories.''

Haye believes both IBF, IBO and WBO champion Wladimir and his brother Vitali were scared to face former WBA champion Nikolai Valuev before the Londoner beat 'The Beast from the East' in 2009.

''This is the belt they have been claiming they have wanted for a long time but for whatever reason it didn't happen,'' he said.

''I believe it is because Valuev didn't fit their little, fat American MO [modus operandi], but I am definitely going to mess with Wladimir.''

Haye believes Klitschko has cherry-picked his recent opponents, adding: ''He tries to pick the guys who fit his style perfectly and I'm not fooled by it. Even as a cruiserweight I could have knocked Klitschko out.

''The boxing Gods have decided July 2 is the day I become unified champion.''

Klitschko responded to Haye's provocation by actually praising him, before insisting the fight would prove to be a "lesson" for the Englishman.

"I really respect you and you are a fantastic fighter with an impressive record," Klitschko said.

"I believe it will be a pretty good lesson in respect on July 2."

The Ukrainian then spoke of Haye's fondness of using Twitter, and suggested he post something onto the social networking site ahead of the fight.

"David Haye has been tweeting. He has a lot of followers," he said.

"Please tweet 'Wladimir said David Haye is going to be my 50th knockout'."